Simon & Garfunkel
Live from New York City, 1967

Itís highly unlikely that the world has been waiting for a concert recording
from Simon & Garfunkel. But thatís just because over the years the duo has become one of the
forgotten gems of the 1960s. Not to mention the fact that no one really expects Simon & Garfunkelís
concerts to vary all that much from its studio endeavors. Such an assumption, however, would be
completely wrong, and thatís why Live from New York City, 1967 has been a long time in
coming. In fact, itís more than 35 years overdue.

At the time of the concert (January 22, 1967), Simon & Garfunkel were between
masterpieces. Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme had come out several months prior, and
Bookends wouldnít be released for more than a year. Between the two, Paul Simonís lyrics explored the
alienation that was growing between his generation and the establishment. A distrust of government,
a dislike for business, and a general disillusionment with the state of America provided plenty of
fodder for his poetic observations.

If anything, Live from New York City, 1967 further plays to the lyrical
essence of Simonís songs. Make no mistake: The studio renditions of these tunes all hold their own
against and build upon similar outings of the time, such as The BeatlesíSgt. Pepperís Lonely
Hearts Club Band, Rubber Soul, and Revolver albums as well as The Beach BoysíPet Sounds. But with just two beautiful, perfectly joined voices and masterfully performed
guitar passages, a crystal clear clarity is achieved that allows the words to hang in the air,
forming delicately silhouetted snapshots of life. Listen as the duo depicts the disengaged couple in
The Dangling Conversation or paints the subway with A Poem on the Underground Wall.
Listen as they gleefully glide through the free-spirited 59th Street Bridge Song
or tell the sad tale of A Most Peculiar Man.

As an added bonus, the set list for the 1967 concert from which this album is
taken included two rarities: A Church Is Burning and You Donít Know Where Your Interest
Lies. The former is an essential track that portrays a vivid illustration of the religious,
spiritual, and racial turmoil of the late í60s and had appeared on Simonís 1965 UK-only, solo
effort. While the latter song was eventually recorded by the duo, it also was banished to the B-side
of Fakiní It, no doubt due to its similarity to the far superior A Hazy Shade of Winter.
Nevertheless, its inclusion here does provide some insight into the writing and performing process
that Simon & Garfunkel utilized. In the end, however, itís all about the songs, and as evidenced by
the magnificent music contained on Live from New York City, 1967, Simon and Garfunkel had
them in droves.

Live from New York City, 1967 is available from Barnes & Noble.
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